His work combines madpride and disability justice organising, direct action and deep ecology, but always with a lightness and silliness.

2027 Biennial Year Find out more

The Vacuum Cleaner is the name of a UK based artist and activist who makes candid, provocative and playful work.

His work combines madpride and disability justice organising, direct action and deep ecology, but always with a lightness and silliness. Over the last 12 years he has focused on organising, design of mad spaces and crip aesthetics. Often working with large groups including young people and health professionals, his art and activism aims to challenge and change how mental health is understood, treated and experienced.

With roots in activism and radical art, the vacuum cleaner has created one-man interventions and large-scale actions as well as performance, installation and film. His work has been shown in galleries, theatres, hospitals and schools and has appeared on streets, within social movements and in public spaces internationally.

Recent major commissions include: Whitechapel Gallery 2026, Manchester International Festival 2023 and 2025, Mayor of London 2022/23, Chisenhale Gallery 2022 and Wellcome Collection 2015, 2019 and 2021.

For the National Health Service projects and designs have included Great Ormond Street for Children, Royal Edinburgh Hospital for Children & Young People, Broadmoor Hospital, Beacon Centre (Thanet), Hope and Horizon Units (Bury), Coborn Centre (Newham).

The Vacuum Cleaner is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation 23-27.